How to choose the right breast pump for your breastfeeding needs

If you wish to build up your milk supply to satiate your fussy baby, increasing your breast pumping frequency is the best way to go about it. Cluster pumping is a technique that involves pumping every five minutes to give your breasts repeated stimulation. The more you empty your breasts, the more milk you will make. However, working mothers will find it difficult to commit to a cluster pumping schedule. In this case, you may try a few sessions of cluster pumping in the evenings or over the weekend instead.

Another approach you may want to consider is to opt for double pumping and empty both breasts at once. To make it easier, you can put on a pumping bra that can hold your breast shields in place, leaving your hands free. Pret-a-Pregger Prolacta Seamless Handsfree Pumping Bra, for instance, has a double-layered insert to securely hold bottles while providing you maximum comfort.

Most importantly, be sure to maintain a healthy diet and sleep schedule. Not only will this help you to maintain a healthy milk supply, but it’ll also support you in your journey towards recovery as well. You may want to also consider including lactation cookies into your diet. Lactation cookies are cookies packed with vitamins and nutrients to help keep breastfeeding parents nourished while their bodies work overtime to produce milk. These cookies contain a substance called galactagogues, a compound that helps to stimulate breastmilk production. The best part? Aside from producing breastmilk, lactation cookies offer the nutrient-dense calories, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs – all the good stuff that will be passed on to your little one.

Similar to breastfeeding, you may occasionally run into speed bumps in your breast pumping journey. Fortunately, there are solutions out there to help you navigate your way around it!

One of the issues that mothers often come across when they pump is blocked ducts. These can develop when milk that has yet to be fully expelled from the breasts gets clogged and infected. As a result, the breasts become sore and painful to touch. To avoid this, you can apply warm towels to your breasts throughout the day to loosen the clogged milk in your ducts and gently massage your breasts as you pump. If the problem continues to persist, be sure to talk to your doctor immediately. Blocked ducts can lead to other infections if they’re not taken care of.

Another common problem with breast pumping is general anxiety – yes, it happens! Mix that with the loud, foreign noises of an electric breast pump and it can easily get overwhelming. Pumping, in general, is rather stressful for both your baby and yourself. If you’re experiencing anxiety, you may want to try to take steps to reduce it. You could replace your electric pump to one that’s gentler and more discreet, introduce certain lifestyle changes, or even take medications to foster a stress-free environment. Be sure to do so under the guidance of your doctor.

Breastfeeding can be a lonely journey – but it doesn’t have to be! Whenever you feel overwhelmed or stressed, reach out to your partner for much-needed support and encouragement. This could take in the form of giving an extra hand, especially when you’re sleep ridden during your 2 a.m. night feedings, or taking over the feeding while you take a well-deserved nap after a pumping session. Despite needing rest, mums are typically hesitant to take a nap, especially when they know they’ll have to quickly get up and feed if necessary. Knowing that their partners are there to take the reins can be extremely comforting, alleviating the anxiety that may have beset them in their motherhood journey.

When there is constant sucking pressure applied to your nipples, you’ll naturally experience discomfort. Breast pumping will cause your nipples to dry, crack, and become sore to the touch. To mitigate these unpleasant side effects, be sure to look at your pump’s settings. Adjust to the lowest power and gradually work your way up. Alternatively, you can also consider using nipple shields, like the Pigeon Natural-Fit Silicone Nipple Shield. Aside from sore and dry nipples, these nipple shields offer a larger area, which can be extremely helpful if your baby has latching difficulties. However, make to use them under the supervision of a physician or lactation consultation as they can negatively affect breastfeeding if not worn correctly.

To relieve yourself from the pain and discomfort, you can lather nipple cream on your nipple and areola. The Lansinoh Nipple Cream is made with hpa-modified lanolin to give you fast relief. Moreover, it’s 100% natural and hypoallergenic, making it safe for both mum and baby. If the soreness and dryness do not alleviate, you may want to talk to your doctor.

Considering Singapore’s hot and humid weather, storing your breast milk at room temperature isn’t viable as the milk is likely to spoil. If you want to keep your breast milk for another day, there are several options you can consider:

• You can refrigerate your breast milk for up to four days.
• If you aren’t going to use refrigerated breast milk within the four days of pumping, you can freeze it instead.
• You can put breast milk in the cooler or insulated cooler pack with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours after pumping. After 24 hours, be sure to put it either in the refrigerator or freezer.